FRUITPORT – The “Battle of the Bayou” has been known for exciting finishes, and this year’s edition was no exception.

The Spring Lake Lakers scored what appeared to be the game-tying touchdown with seven seconds left in the game on a 7-yard touchdown catch by Josef Hissom to cut their deficit to a single point.

But on the extra-point attempt, Fruitport’s Levi Six got a hand on the ball and blocked the kick, sealing a thrilling 14-13 win for the Trojans over Spring Lake in the neighborhood rivalry game.

Six’s block capped a great night for the senior, who rushed for 128 yards on 29 carries. He also recovered a fumble in the second quarter that led to the game-winning touchdown, which he also scored.

Fruitport, which improved its record to 1-1 on the season, won its third straight game over the Lakers, and has won four of the last five meetings.

“It has been three wacky games,” said Fruitport Coach Greg Vargas about the last few games against Spring Lake. “You feel like you are in control and you are moving along, and it ends up being very close. Although we made errors, and although it was not the prettiest game, at the end of the day getting a W is pretty special.”

Fruitport’s Wyatt Kendra pushes his way up field. Photo/Carol Cooper

The Trojans led 14-7 at halftime and held on that lead until the final drive of the game.

Spring Lake started its final drive on its own 30-yard line with four minutes left in regulation.

Cameron Ball, the Spring Lake quarterback, broke loose for an 8-yard run on fourth down to the Lakers’ 40-yard line to keep the drive alive.

Spring Lake then took advantage of a Trojan personal foul penalty (a horse-collar tackle) on fourth down to gain another first down in Fruitport’s territory.

With 22 seconds left in the contest and the Lakers 34 yards away from the end zone, Ball tossed a 27-yard completion to Drew Cather, giving Spring Lake a first-and-goal from the 7-yard line.

Hisson’s touchdown catch with seven seconds left cut the deficit to 14-13. Only the blocked extra point kept the game from going to overtime.

Spring Lake quarterback Cameron Ball looks up field on the run. Photo/Carol Cooper

Fruitport opened the scoring with a 15-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Connor Routt to Wyatt Kendra with 1:27 left in the first quarter to give the Trojans a 7-0 lead.

The Trojans added to their lead with 4:30 left in the second quarter on a 2-yard run by Six after he recovered a Spring Lake fumble at the 10-yard line.

The Lakers finally got on the scoreboard with 25 seconds left in the first half on a 2-yard run by Cather to cut the deficit to 14-7.

The score remained the same until the final seven seconds of the contest.

“We have to quit doing this,” said first-year Laker Coach Dan Start, whose team lost a 27-point lead last week and lost by one point. “I am not going to last very long and my hair is already turning gray. We just have to keep chipping away.

“The guys battled back and made some plays, but it just was not good enough at the end.”

Spring Lake running back Isaiah Pierce led his team with 53 yards while Ball passed for 34 yards on two completions and one touchdown.

Connor Rout gets ready for the Fruitport snap. Photo/Carol Cooper

Wyatt Kendra has room in the Trojan openfield. Photo/Carol Cooper

Ben Henke pushes his way through the pile for Spring Lake. Photo/Carol Cooper

Isaiah Pierce cuts on the Spring Lake rush. Photo/Carol Cooper

Drew Cather pushes his way through the crowd for Spring Lake. Photo/Carol Cooper